The Municipal Art Society of New York

This week’s removal of the Astroland Rocket reminded us of the many historic buildings, structures, and rides still remaining in Coney Island’s amusement area. Most of these not protected as landmarks. This slide show highlights some of the remaining vestiges of Coney Island’s heyday and illustrates that there are still some pieces of Coney Island’s history left.

Learn more about MAS advocacy for Coney Island at www.mas.org/imagineconey.

A regular new feature, the Community-Based Plan of the Month  highlights plans included in Planning for All New Yorkers: An Atlas of Community-Based Plans in New York City, an interactive map created by the Municipal Art Society and the Community-Based Planning Task Force. As the recent economic slowdown gives us the opportunity to take a step back and reevaluate New York City’s planning processes, community-based plans can provide a framework for growth that works for all New Yorkers. The plan featured here provides an example of how inclusive planning processes work on the ground, and ideally will help inspire future community planning efforts.

Stable-izing Brooklyn
When the Fort Hamilton Parkway interchange of the Prospect Expressway was completed in 1962 under the direction of Robert Moses, a small, eight-block section of Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn was severed from its neighbors.  This quirky area was once home to a number of horse stables due to its proximity to Prospect Park, but now only one remains: Kensington Stables, located at East 8th Street and Caton Avenue. Since Claremont Riding Academy near Central Park closed last year, Kensington Stables is among New York’s few remaining urban stables. Continue Reading>>

Last October, MAS launched ImagineConey, an initiative to develop bold new ideas for the future of Coney Island. Since then, more than 500 New Yorkers and an international team of experts have contributed their ideas through a “charrette” (an intense design workshop), two public workshops and a website, ImagineConey.

In January 2009, an exhibit displaying all of these ideas will open at the Municipal Art Society, and the deadline for submission of ideas has recently been extended from December 15, 2008, until January 15, 2009. So, if you have an idea for the future of Coney Island you want to submit for inclusion in the exhibit, please visit ImagineConey.com and upload it before the deadline.
Over 200 ideas have been submitted thus far and can be viewed in the gallery at ImagineConey.com. The ideas fall into eight categories: general principles, planning concepts, programming ideas, new structures, rides, art and culture suggestions, sustainability and energy concepts, and ideas for new events. Continue Reading>>

Metropolis published two articles today on several successful major redevelopment projects that MAS encouraged, such as Columbus Circle, the High Line, and Fresh Kills in Staten Island.  All at various stages of completion, these areas, former notorious eyesores on New York City landscape, are being reimaged in ways that increase open space and activate their surrounding neighborhoods.

In other news, the Landmarks Preservation Commission rejected the current General Growth proposal for the South Street Seaport while there was no vote at the hearing, the Commission objected primarily to the inappropriate scale, massing and height of buildings in a historic district and the relocation of the historic Tin building. Continue Reading>>

Today, MAS released a new concept for Coney Island that features near-term and long-term programming elements. The concept calls for Coney Island to become the main stage for New York City, providing a platform for small and large performances and events in coordination with its role as an amusement destination.

The concept, which would include a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities, could be implemented immediately (Summer 2009) and would take advantage of the parcels of undeveloped land in Coney Island, much of which is now vacant or operating as street-level parking. The concept also offers a thematic focus for the long-term redevelopment of Coney Island and creates a bridge to the point in the future when it can be implemented.

“Coney Island always has been and always should be an entertainment destination for the city and the world,” said MAS President Kent Barwick.

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The public has weighed in on what they want to see in Coney Island, and the ideas offer a refreshing burst of (uninhibited) creativity. As part of its initiative to develop new ideas for the design and programming of Coney Island, the Municipal Art Society launched a call for public input. This effort complements a broader initiative, titled ImagineConey, that features a charrette (an intense design workshop) with international amusement experts, leaders of Broadway theater in New York City, and former Disney executives.

MAS hopes that by leveraging global ideas and creativity it can help identify the novel uses that will spark new life in Coney Island and build on the remarkable strides Mayor Bloomberg has made toward a revitalized Coney Island. The design and amusement team is now participating in the charrette, and the results will be publicly presented on Monday, November 17.

A selection of the top public ideas for Coney Island follow. The quotes are the text submitted on the website or at the public meetings.

• Create a Venice, CA-style Muscle Beach
  “Set aside a stretch of the beach/boardwalk for a muscle beach type experience, where people can enjoy a work out — to see and be seen. This alone will attract many people to Coney and send a fun, healthy message that is in keeping with the times and resonates with the side-show aspect to the old Coney.” Also suggested: a bathing suit contest for guys and gals.

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Join MAS on Monday, November 17, 6:30 p.m. at BAM Cafe when representatives of the world-class design team MAS has convened to develop new ideas for Coney Island’s future will present the initial results of ImagineConey.

Yesterday and today, the design team of architects, engineers, amusement designers and producers – including experts who have worked with Broadway Theater, Disney Corporation and other international amusement parks – are gathering at the New York Aquarium for a two-day intense design workshop – known as a charrette – to develop bold new ideas for Coney Island based on input given online and at two public workshops.

ImagineConey Initial Presentation
Monday, November 17, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
At BAM Cafe, Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Street, Brooklyn NY MAP
The presentation is free, but reservations are recommended due to limited space. RSVP online or call 212-935-2075.

For more information about ImagineConey, visit imagineconey.com.

A diverse group of New Yorkers gathered last night at the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library to generate new ideas for Coney Island. From launching an invention convention to building new state-of-the-art amusement rides and interactive science museum, participants came up with a wide range of events and festivals, arts, performance, and sporting venues, opportunities for local artists and businesses, designs for new structures and even for interim activities that could happen in the summer of 2009.

The ideas generated during these public meetings and the website www.imagineconey.com are now joining ideas generated by a “dream team” of designers, architects, engineers, economists, and entertainment producers that are convening today and tomorrow at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island to Imagine Coney. The results of their vision will be unveiled at a public presentation at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Monday, November 17th, 6:30 p.m. The presentation free and open to the public, so please join us.

For more information about the public meetings, the website, and the ImagineConey charrette, click here.

A diverse group of members of the public came together at the Coney Island Gospel Assembly on Monday evening to Imagine Coney and weigh in with their ideas for Coney Island’s future: for events and activities, for new amusement rides, for the design of new structures and even for interim activities that could happen in the summer of 2009. Watch the slideshow above to learn more about the process and some of the ideas they put forward.

Also sponsored by MAS, the second Imagine Coney workshop is being held this evening at 6:30 p.m., at Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn MAP. It is free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged. RSVP online or call 212-935-2075. Continue Reading>>

The Center for an Urban Future released a new report today titled Coney Island Visions, which interviewed over twenty prominent New Yorkers, entertainment entrepreneurs, urban planners, and amusement park experts on their biggest and boldest ideas for Coney Island.

Is the current plan to rezone Coney Island “really a bold vision for creating a 21st century amusement area that is worthy of its incredible brand and unique place in the hearts of New Yorkers?” the report asks.  The report asks experts to inject fresh ideas into the redevelopment plans for Coney Island.  Check out what the CEO of Tivoli Gardens, the New Yorker architecture critic, the Big Apple Circus Executive Director, and many more had to say.

To voice your brilliant ideas for Coney Island, visit www.imagineconey.com or attend the next public workshop for ImagineConey at the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn on Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30 PM. For more information, click here.

New York Daily News reports that Mayor Bloomberg met with City Councilmembers Friday night to urge them to approve the City’s proposed rezoning of Willets Point, Queens – a decision the Council must make by November 13.  To date, the majority of the Council has been vocally opposed to supporting the rezoning without key amendments.  Read MAS’ testimony on Willets Point here.

Meanwhile, the New York Daily News also reports that the New York City Economic Development Corporation has purchased another parcel of land in Willets Point; the largest parcel yet acquired by the City, this is the 4 acre warehouse, the House of Spices.

In other news, the MTA has delayed signing a contract with the Related Companies for their Hudson Yards bid… Continue Reading>>

Joining founder of the Waterfront Preservation Alliance of Greenpoint and Williamsburg Ward Dennis were: moderator and president of the Society for Industrial Archaeology Mary Habstritt; MAS director of advocacy and policy Lisa Kersavage; president & chief operating officer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Andrew Kimball; and preservation consultant to the Austin, Nichols, warehouse rehabilitation Robert Powers. Continue Reading>>

MAS launched Imagine Coney yesterday at Brooklyn Borough Hall; New York 1 report. A dream team of architects, landscape architects, entertainment programmers, designers, and engineers, were briefed by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, local Councilmember Dominic Recchia, Brooklyn Community Board 13, Coney Island USA, Creative Time, and several other local stakeholders on the current conditions at Coney Island and their aspirations for the future of the area. The Imagine Coney team will reconvene in Brooklyn in November for a charrette – an intense design workshop – during which New Yorker’s ideas will combine with their creativity to develop new ideas for a revitalized Coney Island. Learn more about Imagine Coney and the international call for ideas here.

MAS’ extensive efforts in 2006 to survey the historic resources of Prospect Heights and advocate for its designation as an historic district is finally paying off, says the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is holding its first public hearing on the proposed historic district today. MAS also weighed in on the preservation issues surrounding the Tin Building at the South Street Seaport New York 1 reports. Learn more about the future of the seaport and the General Growth Properties plan here.

In other news, the Landmarks Preservation Commission just approved the demolition of the O’Toole Building in the Village.to make way for St. Vincent’s new hospital and housing complex. Continue Reading>>

On Monday, October 27, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon at Brooklyn Borough Hall,MAS will launch Imagine Coney,an initiative bringing together a world-class team of designers, engineers, producers and economists to develop new ideas for Coney Island – for amusement rides, structures, events and interim activities.

Coney Island was once one of the most astonishing places on earth – from the minarets and lights of Luna Park to the water chute rides and freakish sideshows of Dreamland. However, over the last several decades, it has declined and the area needs revitalization.

The City has taken several critical steps towards that goal. Last November, it announced a rezoning initiative, which you can view here, but it will take more than the efforts of the City alone to restore Coney Island to its greatness. It will require the focus, creativity and entrepreneurship of New Yorkers and Coney Island fans like you. Continue Reading>>

An article in the Wall Street Journal by Michael Immerso, author of Coney Island: the People’s Playground“, describes the unique social history of Coney as the most democratic of meeting places for New Yorkers and an incubator for never-before-seen foods and amusements. Mr. Immerso cautions that the City’s proposed plan for Coney Island does not leave enough room for open-air amusements and activities that have always been “Coney Island summer staples,” providing “affordable amusements for the masses.” As illustrated by the marvelous accompanying slide show, Mr. Immerso calls for the city to not render Coney Island a place that is Coney in name only, but lives up to it’s legacy as the people’s playground.

In other news, a group of Willets Point business owners have filed a complaint against former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman for illegally lobbying on behalf of the City’s proposed rezoning. Continue Reading>>